Mana Loa

Founded by visionary designer Lyne in 2022, Mana Loa draws inspiration from meditation and tranquillity. Therefore, she designs clothes exuding tranquillity and fusing with contemporary minimalist aesthetics. Derived from the Hawaiian words ​“mana” meaning strength and ​“loa” meaning tall, the name ​“Mana Loa” symbolises the brand’s core values of longevity, quality and empowerment.

The clothes are designed by Lyne herself in her studio in Leuven. The collection is then produced by production workshops in Europe, including Poland. From 2023, the brand will collaborate with some small ateliers in Portugal. 

Mana Loa hereby builds a close and long-term relationship with the producers and also visits the ateliers itself. This way, the brand can guarantee that the clothes are made in fair and ethical conditions.

Mana Loa chooses to use only natural materials in their collection. The clothes are made of organic cotton and linen. Here, the brand uses a combination of 60% organic cotton and 40% natural rubber for the elastic waistband in, for example, the shorts. 

Some of the cotton is GOTS-certified organic cotton from Turkey, for example the jersey and poplin fabrics. From the autumn/​winter 2023 collection, Mana Loa will mainly use organic cotton sourced from Portugal. As a certification process often involves high costs, it is often not possible for small production workshops to obtain certification. Because small producers make the fabrics, the cotton is therefore uncertified organic.

The summer collection uses mostly linen. This is a natural material made from flax, which requires less chemicals and water than conventional cotton. Still, we cannot call this material completely organic. Mana Loa chooses linen produced in Belgium. This way, the brand is sure that the producer complies with strict European environmental and social legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).

The brand continues the sustainable line throughout their operations, opting for plastic-free packaging, organic cotton clothing labels and hangtags made of recycled paper.

Mana Loa ensures that their designs are easily recyclable after their life cycle because the brand uses mono-materials. This means that the clothes are made from a single material. Moreover, the brand uses only natural materials to facilitate recycling.

This Belgian brand chooses to produce their collections within Europe, namely in Poland and Portugal. Textiles are also produced locally in Belgium, Turkey and Portugal.

The brand is also taking further steps in this direction, from 2023 both the fabrics and clothes will be produced in Portugal. This way, the supply chain shortens and your purchase doesn’t have to travel long distances to get to you. 

The short chain also makes it easier for the brand to keep in touch with production sites, and even visit them!

Mana Loa’s collections contain hardly any animal materials. The clothes are made of vegetable fibres such as cotton and linen and are completely animal-friendly! The only exception to this are the buttons made from shells from Lithuania.

Its commitment to slow fashion principles is at the heart of Mana Loa’s philosophy. Each garment is carefully crafted by skilled artisans, using sustainable materials from reliable suppliers. By prioritising timeless designs and sustainable construction, Mana Loa aims to transcend fleeting trends and create garments that can be treasured for years.

Mana Loa is a term derived from the ancient Hawaiian philosophy of life. Mana loa stands for life force and strength from within, and it also embodies all that is beautiful and pure in the world. A name not chosen by chance. The brand makes honest, refined clothes that empower you and make you shine from within.

Mana Loa is committed to transparency and indicates on each product page what and where the garment was made. This includes the origin of the materials. The brand also interacted with COSH!, giving us a look behind the scenes at this conscious, Belgian fashion brand.